Immigration System Overhaul Underway at Suvarnabhumi Airport

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File photo courtesy: Matichon

 

Thailand's Immigration Bureau (IB) announced plans to enhance services at Suvarnabhumi Airport, aiming to strike a balance between streamlined efficiency and national security. The changes will be driven by the development of the Thailand Immigration System (TIS), which aims to modernise the immigration process with advanced technology.

 

Discussing this initiative, Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, head of Immigration Division 2, emphasised the importance of integrating faster services for the anticipated influx of passengers.

 

With prior experience in managing immigration at five key international airports, Maj Gen Choengron is well-placed to lead these improvements.

 

With Suvarnabhumi currently accommodating an average of 120,000 passengers daily, projections for peak season suggest this number could rise to 135,000.

 

Hence, the need for additional staff and resources is pressing, following the Prime Minister's recent visit highlighting the issue of congestion.

 

To address these challenges, new systems have been introduced to reduce the processing time per passenger from 1-2 minutes to approximately 45 seconds.

 

The elimination of certain steps, such as manually entering flight data, will contribute to these efficiencies. As a result, the total waiting time, including queuing, is expected to be under 20 minutes.

The planned roll-out of the Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS) further aims to bolster security by flagging individuals wanted internationally before they even reach passport control.

 

Looking ahead, the IB aims to complete the TIS within two years, integrating AI for enhanced security measures. Automatic channels mirroring those at Singapore’s Changi Airport could further streamline processes.

 

While these technological upgrades promise speedier services, the dedication to national safety remains paramount, with immigration officers keeping vigilant to prevent potential threats, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-11-18